White House to propose Cybersecurity Legislation

The Obama Administration announced last month a major legislative proposal aimed at improving U.S. cybersecurity and protecting the economy. The proposal is the result of two and one-half years of work. As has been widely reported, U.S. computers have long been subject to hacking attacks, many of them believed to have originated in China. This will be the first major cybersecurity legislative package proposed by any administration. The complex and systemic national vulnerabilities that place the American people and economy at risk must be addressed.

The proposed legislation is focused on improving cybersecurity for America’s critical infrastructure and the federal government’s own networks and computers. A critical balance must be reached between strengthening security, preserving privacy and civil liberties protections, and fostering continued economic growth. It appears that this proposal does just that. The Obama Administration wants Congress to enact a cybersecurity bill this year.